ALPENA — Local elementary schools have been packed with parents and families for winter holiday programs.
During the school day, students practiced the songs they performed during the holiday programs. Among the songs students performed were “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” ...

ALPENA TOWNSHIP — Many residents in Alpena Township want updates and have questions regarding the township’s ongoing water and sewer dispute with the City of Alpena.
Today at 5 p.m., the township Board of Trustees will hold a special public meeting to address concerns and any ...

ALPENA — In 2016, the federal government decided not to refill the position of a customs agent in Alpena who retired and, although there was a concerted effort to convince the feds to reconsider, that position remain open today.
That means international travelers are forced to stop ...

ALPENA — There was little on the Alpena Board of Commissioners’ meeting agenda Tuesday. In fact, most of the meeting was dedicated to longtime Commissioner Cam Habermehl, who served in his last meeting on Tuesday.
Habermehl, who was defeated in the August primary election by Kevin Burr ...

ROGERS CITY — Rogers City officials are putting the finishing touches on a plan that will allow the city to continue receiving grants from the Michigan Economic Development Corp.
City Manager Joseph Hefele told council members he hopes to submit the plan to the MEDC early next year, ...

ALPENA — On Monday, school districts within Alpena, Alcona, and Montmorency counties were one of nine partnerships in the state awarded a Marshall Plan for Talent grant from the state.
Alpena Public Schools, Alcona Community Schools, Hillman Community Schools, Atlanta Community Schools, ...

ALPENA — Christmas brings with it so many memories and, while every gift received is special or meaningful, many believe it is the ones made with hands that bring a smile and warmth to the heart.
Sometimes it’s nice to go to a shop and create a special gift, as can be done at Soaps and ...

ALPENA TOWNSHIP — The Alpena Township Board of Trustees took a cue from its voters and have begun the process of adopting an ordinance banning recreational marijuana businesses from opening and operating in the township.
The 5-0 vote took place at the monthly board meeting ...

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz
Santa Claus extended his weekend stay in Alpena by a day to meet with students from Lincoln Elementary School on Monday. The kids were happy to meet with Santa at Culligan Plaza and received candy canes from Alpena Downtown Development Authority Executive ...

ALPENA — The Alpena Public Schools Board of Education took another step Monday toward asking voters to approve a bond sale for facilities renovations by approving an application to the state for preliminary qualification of bonds.
Superintendent John VanWagoner said the district has ...

ALPENA TOWNSHIP — Many residents in Alpena Township want updates and have questions regarding the township's water and sewer litigation with City of Alpena.
On Wednesday at 5 p.m., the board of trustees will hold a special public meeting to address concerns and any misinformation that ...

ALPENA — The story of Santa Claus and his Christmas exploits have been shared millions of times over the eons, but it is rare that he speaks to the media or reveals personal aspects of his life.
During a brief visit to Alpena on Saturday, he opened up to The Alpena News about a variety ...

ALPENA — Today, school districts within Alpena, Alcona, and Montmorency counties were one of nine partnerships in the state awarded a Marshall Plan for Talent grant from the state.
Alpena Public Schools, Alcona Community Schools, Hillman Community Schools, Atlanta Community Schools, and the ...

ALCONA — Michigan is surrounded by about 20 perent of the world’s fresh surface water.
That’s a lot to be responsible for.
“Water Ways,” a traveling exhibition produced by the Smithsonian Institute and currently housed at the Alcona Public Library, is a unique exhibit that ...

CORRECTION: This story has been updated to reflect that Don McLennan's wife is Julie McLennan. Her name was incorrect in an earlier version of this story.
ROGERS CITY —The unimposing man with sparse goatee and an impish grin rolled his eyes.
“Retirement party? I told them no ...

ALPENA - Drug possession cases in Michigan may be dropped as a result of the new marijuana laws passed in the November elections, with area prosecutors’ offices examining their current cases and dismissing some as a result of the new laws.
As of Dec. 6, new laws governing the use of ...

ALPENA — In the Great Lakes, there is an estimated 6,000 vessels that battled treacherous waves only to meet their fate on the lake floors.
Among those thousands, the Christmas Tree Ship is one of the many mysterious wrecks that has intrigued people since it vanished during a winter ...

News Photo by Crystal Nelson
Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary Superintendent Jeff Gray jumps into the frigid Thunder Bay River on Friday. Gray pledged to jump into the river if the Friends of TBNMS exceeded its Giving Tuesday goal of $7,500 or 50 individual gifts. Friends of TBNMS raised ...

ALPENA —On an early-morning drive home to her Grand Lake residence on Friday morning, a young driver’s commute was disrupted when her car slid off of northbound U.S.-23.
The driver’s father said she had to hit her brakes and must have hit a patch of ice after a driver in front of her ...

ALPENA —There has been a flurry of activity downtown which has seen one local restaurant changing locations and another moving into its former building. Another popular restaurant/tavern has changed ownership and is being totally revamped.
When all of the renovations are complete, people ...